Identify: Throw Away Anger

“You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips.” (Colossians 3:7-8)

Sex sins and anger sins. Those are the two categories (so far) that Paul wants us to use our God-given power to kill in ourselves. In today’s verse, he says these sins define the old you, the “you” before Christ, the “you” without him.

identify_350Paul’s list of anger sins includes anger (anger you hold on to), rage (anger unleashed from self-control), malice (anger that wants to do damage), slander (anger that uses lies to hurt), and filthy language. That last one isn’t just saying the words on the naughty list, it’s about unleashing ugly words you’d never say when you weren’t spitting mad.

Anger itself is just an emotion – and not a sinful one. In Ephesians 4, Paul writes from God that we should be angry without sinning and learn to ditch our anger in a day. James helps, too: “. . . anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires.” (James 1:20)

Can you throw it away?

Think: What makes it hard for us to let go of anger? What are we afraid of losing? How can we trust that fear to God?

Pray: Ask God to help you to rid yourself of anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips.

Do: If you have trouble with anger, try memorizing Ephesians 4:26-27 and thinking about it – especially when you’re mad.